SCRANTON — Armed with only a fire extinguisher and handfuls of snow, a Scranton recycling crew jumped into action Friday morning to douse a porch fire before it could consume a West Side home.
Department of Public Works employees Charles Dukerich and Justin Krukowski didn’t think twice about climbing from their truck and immediately alerting the sleeping residents of the Hampton Street house just after 6:30 a.m.
Steamtown Church pastor Dennis D’Augostine, who heard the truck’s horn blaring, called the crew “true heroes” and believes a family would have lost their lives if it hadn’t been for the workers’ quick thinking.
“God provided the snow and the men provided the manpower,” said D’Augostine, who also serves as the chaplain of the city’s Fire Department.
Just because the holidays are over doesn’t mean people can’t continue in the Christmas spirit, Krukowski said.
“Let’s keep it going,” he said. “Let’s keep the good going.”
The men’s response didn’t surprise supervisor Robb McClay, who said the crews were the “eyes and ears” of the city.
And, although not classified as first responders, the crews are true public servants, city officials said.
Dukerich, who was driving the truck, said he first thought there was fog coming from the house before realizing it was smoke.
He first called in fire crews before making his way from the truck to help put the fire out.
What most impressed D’Augostine was that, after the fire was out and fire crews had arrived, the DPW workers got back in their truck to continue their day.
“We’ll see them again next Friday,” Krukowski said of the street’s residents.
Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti stopped by to congratulate the DPW workers, saying she was proud of them but not surprised by their laudable actions.
D’Augostine said people are often blessed in ways they don’t expect.
Just when people were getting over snow-lined streets, the snow was just the thing needed to put out a fire.